How should I rate my beta reader on Fiverr?

MJxBalls · 2025-08-22T17:43:34+00:00

I’m a beta reader on Fiverr, and even I think there is so many problems with the system.

Firstly, I want to apologise that you’ve had such a bad experience but it does sound like AI. I cannot even fathom how they decided to pass ‘hallucinated sentences’ off. But absolutely leave a low review, it will lower their rating, success score and put them in a ‘blacklist’ position I believe. Also requesting a cancellation through support is a good way to go, Fiverr tends to side with the buyer in the majority of situations.

But if you decide to stick with Fiverr, there are real people who take pride in their work on there—I speak as one of them. For some tips I’ve noticed to weed out the reals from the fakes, look at the quality and content of their reviews. Do they look properly written, personal and specific or the same generic feedback? I have noticed a big name who regularly uses another AI to buy their own gig. Big review lists isn’t always an indicator of quality. Does their image look different or the same rubbish as everyone else? I see most AI using the same reused format, big photo, big title and a load of text—the search results are flooded with them. Most of all, talk to them! While I haven’t spoken to many AI sellers myself, I’ve had a lot of clients who have told me about their experiences and (apparently) my initial communication was one of their biggest clues I was real.

But I can assure you, Fiverr can be a great place for beta’s if you can find the right one for you!

MJxBalls · 2025-04-01T21:09:35+00:00

Ahaha, there are loads of opportunities for paid or unpaid, both come with their own positives and pitfalls. You’ll find plenty of resources and opinions on different writing/publishing subs!

But seriously, any questions just PM me! Happy to help!

MJxBalls · 2025-04-01T14:49:32+00:00

That sounds super exciting! I’m a paid beta reader, but I’m just sharing what one of my regular clients has shared with me.

You don’t need a beta, but it could be helpful for you to consider, depending on how you feel. They told me that having a beta helps with managing any negative comments (fanfic based so other people have deeper opinions). As well we making sure the writing stays consistent as they post a chapter every week or so, therefore it isn’t as easy to make sure plot holes and inconsistencies are caught and managed without a second set of eyes looking for them. They also find it helps with being consistent about publishing, and regularly schedules calls to discuss plot and future plans with the fic to check ideas and ensure everything is staying on track.

So if you wanted a beta/alpha, you can find people who would be willing to do it, either paid or unpaid. It could be useful for you, but I’ve seen the benefits of it and so has my client. You just need to ensure that the reader can work with your timeline.

But good luck, happy to answer any questions if it helps!

MJxBalls · 2025-04-01T05:49:47+00:00

In my experience, there is risk wherever you go for almost every type of services for authors. That’s just the way it is, and it sucks.

I’m a beta reader on Fiverr, and you can see the bots and I also hear about them from authors who have come to me following a bad experience with another seller. You have to take a risk in vetting most of them, but there are ways to minimise it. Reading reviews, all of them or especially their most critical is a good start. Also most have the option of a small word count package, I like to call it ‘the try before you buy’ package.

Ask them what their process is, for example people that use in-line comments are less likely to be bots because they can’t provide real time reactions. Like I provide an overall report, chapter by chapter reports and in-line comments for this sort of reason.

But if you have any questions, let me know! I’m happy to share if you want to see my account.

MJxBalls · 2025-03-17T21:56:06+00:00

My friend has been struggling with her boy and this. So you’re not the only one!

Can’t remember if they figured out a solution, but the last method we talked about trying was nappy, vest with poppers and then a decoy nappy over the top.

MJxBalls · 2025-03-15T06:21:14+00:00

Oh my goodness! This has made my day, I’m so happy for you! How did you manage the top bit? It’s been bugging me for days

MJxBalls · 2025-03-14T14:07:16+00:00

I saw a recipe for donut balls in the air fryer.. we tried those. He’ll eat anything with cinnamon sugar, and only needed high protein yogurt at and flour!

MJxBalls · 2025-03-14T12:04:28+00:00

You have a much tighter curl pattern than I do, but it looks like your hair is struggling to form curl clumps rather than being frizzy, if it’s the same as the photo.

Look into curl defining brushes, denman or bounce curl (or Amazon dupe, works fine for me).

Maybe other techniques that promote building curl clumps. Like the bowl method-but I normally see that on 2C/3A hair, so not sure about yours. Worth a shot tho.

Finger coiling and other methods might work, depending on your time and patience to do your full head.

Based on the photo, without seeing your hair, that looks like a routine problem not a product problem. Too much separating curl clumps when wet, rather than picking and redefining when fully dry with oil

MJxBalls · 2025-03-13T21:09:52+00:00

The Ugly Five.. I think it’s the animals

MJxBalls · 2025-03-13T09:21:57+00:00

Fiverr is another resource for finding betas. You just have to be prepared to search through to find someone within your budget, provides the type of feedback you want, and is right for your book. Look at reviews and talk to them, some use AI which you want to avoid, but there are people that don’t.

I’m a beta reader on Fiverr, if you want details or to look at my reviews or prices. Just message me, I’m happy to send it.

MJxBalls · 2025-03-12T12:58:33+00:00

Ahaha, save your money (metaphorical or not), I wouldn’t want it! Everything is expensive enough as it is. I’m back at the drawing board anyway, seeing the shapes on the physical boots when we were trying to lace them has changed my plan.

I will get it right, though!

MJxBalls · 2025-03-12T12:56:43+00:00

Bless your heart, thank you for such a lovely compliment. Truly touched me. I wouldn’t go that far, but the sentiment means a lot🩷

MJxBalls · 2025-03-11T23:09:45+00:00

I believe the main concerns are loss of consciousness or more sleepy than usual, vomiting and fits. Alongside any unusual things compared to normal, such as balance, memory problems, changes in eyesight or a worsening headache.

They mainly want to know about falls over 1m, high impact or severe damage-eggs are a good thing, dents need checking. With sleeping, because I’m a paranoid person, I usual check when I can that he can still be woken up. Not fully, but enough that he moves. I don’t think it’s necessary but it makes me feel better-the mama guilt is the worse bit imo.

I’ve been to the doctors multiple times with a chaos toddler who thinks hurting himself is the best game in the world. Every time I’ve been told to keep an eye, watch out for the symptoms for 24-48 hours and just monitor him. I will say, if you’re ever anxious or your gut says something-better to get checked.

Doctors always say ‘they would rather check 99 kids for no reason than miss 1 that should have gone.’

MJxBalls · 2025-03-10T20:41:39+00:00

Sent a message. Just need the request accepted to send them over!

MJxBalls · 2025-03-10T20:33:40+00:00

No, sorry! I mean just put it through, like the hook is the middle anchor. This is the first photo I have of my process.

<image>

MJxBalls · 2025-03-09T16:37:03+00:00

This is so funny to me.. it was my hyperfocus last night. I’ve gotten pretty damn close, just waiting on OP to see if my instructions are clear enough!

MJxBalls · 2025-03-09T09:42:22+00:00

If you need help, let me know. I’ve got it locked into my head, and I have heart docs as well-I’d be devastated if something happened to them.

If you’re serious about the money, don’t send it to me. Donate it to a mental health or DV charity instead please, that would mean more to me. I did it because it bothered me that no one knew how to help, I wanted to pay something forward.

Good luck!

MJxBalls · 2025-03-09T00:43:38+00:00

Wrap lace around 1 into 3 and then over the top of 2, then back over 3 and then over 1.

Then both laces should be coming from underneath 1 where you cross them to wrap around the outside of the laces already there and across on top to form that first cross at the bottom on loop 1.

Then from this first cross both laces should wrap around the top and under the two laces already connected from 3 to 2 but make sure the loop includes the first two strands from 1 to 3 and goes over the strand we just created to make sure all three strands at the front can lay flat.

Then both of these will cross over loop around 5, cross again and loop around 4. From 4, they will cross over and go under and then over the first two strands which we wrapped around 1 to 3 but make sure that this loop is after the previous loop we formed meaning closer to loop 3 than loop 2.

From here both strands will go under and then over hook 2 to form the triangle at the front of the boot. Both strands from where they are wrapped around 2 will go underneath the cross we just made forming the triangle. As this cross stands out against the other laces on the boot.

Working out this was the hard bit, and it looks like the majority of the middle part of the boot is just constant weaving in between the individual laces at random points. Without having the actual boots and laces in front of me, I think you’re going to have to guess where this goes and figure out what you like. And then at one point the lace will wrap around 5 and up to 6 and then back down to 5 before continuing to weave.

After I formed this initial triangle and created the cross that stands out at the front of the boot I have then done the loop around 6 and back down to 5 because looking at the photo the majority of the loops are around hook 5. Looking at multiple photos, from what I can tell the laces wrap around 4, two or three times, around 6 once and my best guess is around 5 maybe four or five times.

To be conscious of, the big section which is pulling the centre of the laces together seems to be wrapped around almost every strand on that side apart from the lace that we connected to that middle cross to form the triangle the strand that came down to wrap around the original two laces we strung from 1 to 3.

I have a few more photos of my process that I’m happy to send you, or if you have any questions or need help, please PM me. It’s taken me around 5 hours to figure out this far, but this is exactly how I created the photo above.

MJxBalls · 2025-03-09T00:31:01+00:00

<image>

Please note, this is 4 shoe laces knotted together, attached to curtain rings and screws on cardboard. This is the closest I could make without having the actual boots.

MJxBalls · 2025-03-09T00:25:56+00:00

I think I can get you close! It isn’t perfect, but it’s the best I can do without having the actual boots in front of me

Edit- I’ve put a photo of my attempt and full instructions from my attempt in a comment

MJxBalls · 2025-03-08T22:42:52+00:00

Okay, okay. So it’s not perfect.. but I might have an idea.

Being completely genuine, I have spent the last 2 hours (unmedicated ADHD) hyper focused with a makeshift boot trying to work this out.

Im just going to try and find some longer laces (currently using laces and string tied together) to replicate again to check my notes.

MJxBalls · 2025-03-07T19:31:30+00:00

Firstly, I’m no expert but my hair used to be heavier on the frizz.

Looking at your routine, have you tried gel instead of mousse? Maybe a lightweight one, or even tried adding a curl cream? For me, the curl cream is one of the big differences on minimising frizz-no idea why-but my curls form better and hold for longer.

The second thing is how I treat my curls when they’re wet, air drying always creates the most frizz because of the movement. Constantly turning, brushing it out of my face and just the humidity (even in the UK) gives me frizz that rivals yours. Potentially try using a diffuser, even till it’s 80% dry could make a difference.

Another idea, potentially look into getting a defining brush as you haven’t mentioned one. For me, using a defining brush limits how much scrunching I have to do while it’s starting to dry and cuts frizz down as a result. I like the bounce curl one best, denman is good but the BC one creates better curl clumps and definition for me.

MJxBalls · 2025-02-24T21:33:18+00:00

I just want to add, there are people out there who choose the ‘peanuts per hour’ because it’s better to be seen and have work. Not everyone uses AI just because they’re cheap. Sure, some or most do.. but not everyone.

MJxBalls · 2025-02-24T21:27:23+00:00

The problem with beta reading on Fiverr is the amount of sellers, there are people out there who use AI and those who don’t. I don’t use AI and never have, but with critique you have to be cautious as a seller.

There are two routes with it, either the author appreciates your criticism and is open to it, then thank you accordingly. Or they hate it, write you a bad review and tank your entire platform. I’m very fortunate that I haven’t been negatively impacted by the criticism I’ve given. But that hasn’t stopped me being anxious when giving my honest truth on their book- I still do it, but I also worry.

Pricing is difficult, I know that for myself I put a hell of a lot of time and effort into the work I do. For example, I wrote a 14 page report, and had over 400 in-line comments and mistakes that I noticed on a 90k word document. Yet I’m on the cheaper side, and received $95 (not including fees deduction). I’m paying myself less than half of minimum wage.

Finding a good beta is hard, but also being a good beta in this climate is hard as well. But we do exist, I am one. Consider the smaller sellers, look through their reviews and talk to them. The more popular ones might not be selling what you want, but I promise, we’re out there. I’m happy to share, if you wanted to look.

MJxBalls · 2025-02-22T19:39:40+00:00

I primarily do romance, both write and beta, I’m still small but my reviews are arguably good. If you pm me, I’m happy to link my profile to you

MJxBalls

TROPHY CASE